HIGH POINT, N.C. — New residential furniture orders rose 2% in November compared to the previous month, but were down 3% compared to the 2024 figure, according to the January issue of Furniture Insights. This drops the 2025 year-to-date levels 1% below 2024 figures, noted Mark Laferriere, assurance partner at Smith Leonard, the accounting and consulting firm that produces the monthly report.

Approximately one-half of participants reported increases in November 2025 compared to a year ago, he said.

November shipments were down 6% compared to 2024 figures, with one-half of survey participants reporting increases compared to the year prior, Laferriere added. Shipments also were down 10% compared to October, "the latter likely a function of the Thanksgiving holiday," he noted. Year-to-date through November, shipments were down 1% compared to 2024.

"November 2025 backlogs were down 1% compared to November 2024, but up 3% from October 2025 as new orders outpaced shipments" he added.

Receivable levels were up 1% from October, but down 5% from November 2024. Inventories were up 1% from October and up 4% from November 2024.

On a seasonally adjusted basis, sales at furniture and home furnishings stores in November were down 0.1% compared to October, and down 1.4% from November 2024. Year to date on a non-adjusted basis, sales were up 3.0%, compared to 3.8% last month, according to January's Furniture Insights.

Regarding the dip in November new residential orders, Laferriere said, ""Consumer confidence and
housing continue to seemingly be the main culprits, with the latter yet to fully realize the expected impact of the recent Federal Reserve cuts, which could take a while to work through the system."

While many in the industry continue to "wait and see" approach on tariffs and how the Supreme Court will ultimately rule on the overall situation, he added, "it seems most of the hard work is behind us as tariffs have become accepted and more integrated into operations.

"So while 2025 is shaping up to end on a bit of a sluggish note for our participants with back-to-back down months (though December reporting still to come), hopefully the industry will continue to see a return to normalcy in 2026 allowing companies to capitalize on pent up demand and other opportunities for growth and prosperity."